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..and then do you sack a reviewer who gives a positive review to a poorly measuring component?

118.201.124.84

13th Duke of Wymbourne

In Reply to: RE: The correct way is... posted by Doug Schneider on May 29, 2024 at 10:31:05

:)
More seriously, I have often thought it would be good if reviewers could achieve an accreditation that they can discern a certain level of difference. Of course, the testing protocol would be an area of discussion and running the tests would be expensive. And there probably isn't much of an upside for anyone as the likely result is that components really don't sound as different as reviewers would have us believe. So, the component manufacturers won't like that and the reviewers won't like being tested (who does?) and being found less capable than they'd like. Maybe an upside would be for a progressive publication to hire those who do best and boast about it.

Edits: 05/29/24 05/29/24 05/29/24 05/29/24

Follow Ups:

RE: ..and then do you sack a reviewer who gives a positive review to a poorly measuring component? - Doug Schneider 17:40:06 05/29/24 (4)
Your point has been on my mind for quite some time.

These days, we're measuring very in-depth almost all of the gear we get in. If there are gross problems with the equipment that the reviewer should've caught -- not just sonic, but functional, too -- we get rid of them if it is repeated. Pretty simple. And it has happened.

What's surprising, though, is that in most cases -- 90% -- things that turn up in measurements that should be obvious do turn up in the written reviews. In other words, a positive correlation in that regard.

But like I said, it's been on my mind and we're looking at ways to make the subjective side more stringent. I think that with so many reviewers these days -- print, online, YouTube, etc. -- there's a market for that.

Doug Schneider
SoundStage!
- What I find largely absent today is - E-Stat 10:25:02 05/30/24 (3)
  corroborative reviews like TAS did back in the day. Reviewers with individualized priorities will bring up different attributes or limitations.
  
  Two mentors were reviewers and while we enjoyed each other's company, attending concerts together when possible and all had a passion for music, we often arrived at different conclusions when hearing something new.
  
  Today it is more common to the reviewer to cite a handful of recordings and how they fare with a DUT. How about as compared with other like components to provide some notion of reference?
  - RE: What I find largely absent today is - Doug Schneider 10:26:34 05/30/24 (2)
    Hi,
    
    You are right -- and it is good you used the phrase "largely absent" rather than "completely absent." There is some of that, but needs to be more.
    
    Doug
    SoundStage!
    - I think it is a great thing - E-Stat 10:32:27 05/30/24 (1)
      when multiple experienced listeners compare notes about a common component or system. It is a great opportunity to learn or share something that may not have been noticed by you or others.
      
      I am aware, however, of the added cost from a publisher's standpoint.
      - RE: I think it is a great thing - Doug Schneider 15:50:10 05/30/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I think it is a great thing posted by E-Stat on May 30, 2024 at 10:32:27
        
        The costs are real! But there are a lot of other costs involved, too.
        
        We are working on a plan to be unveiled in the coming months -- that will also take this into consideration and be "financially feasible."
        
        Doug
        SoundStage!

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